San Antonio – If you asked Rasho Nesterovic how long he’d be out at the time he sprained his left ankle, he’d have a simple answer.
“Two games,” he said.
The situation grew out of his control, however.
His ankle simply did not hold up. Nesterovic, a starting center San Antonio was counting on for added muscle in the paint against Denver, has been on the injured list twice this season because of the ankle injury. He is off the injured list now, and Wednesday he got off the bench for the first time since April 9, playing 14 minutes in the Spurs’ victory.
Nesterovic admitted sitting has been difficult.
“It’s been really tough,” he said. “This is the time of the year when you want to be 100 percent and do what you can do. You get really frustrated when you can’t be out there.”
Nesterovic said strength is his biggest issue. He doesn’t have the stability and the power he’d like to have and is still gimpy. But he was happy to be back on the court.
“It felt good overall,” he said. “Hopefully, it’ll be better in Denver.”
Brown returns to court
Guard Devin Brown also saw his first action in the last 15 games Wednesday. He sustained a disc injury in his back that has caused him to lose strength in his legs. A local product, he entered the game to a standing ovation from the crowd with 5:56 left in the fourth quarter. He scored three points.
“I felt good,” Brown said. “It was just one of those things that you’re able to get back out there and do something you love to do. I thank God my leg came along. It wasn’t looking good for a long time.”
Ginobili not mad
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich quipped that Manu Ginobili asked to be traded when he told the guard he would not start Game 2.
Ginobili was replaced by Brent Barry but still scored 17 points in 18 minutes, and insisted that not only did he not mind coming off the bench, but that he doesn’t expect to start Saturday either.
“If you win by 30, why would things change?” said Ginobili, who had not come off the bench all season. “I feel comfortable, I think Brent did too, so we’re going to stay like this on Saturday.”
Ginobili twisted his ankle in the game and left briefly before returning. Afterward, he said he was fine and does not expect to miss any games.
Carlesimo to Knicks?
According to the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger, Spurs assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo has emerged as a candidate for the vacant New York Knicks coaching job. Carlesimo, who declined comment Wednesday, has had NBA coaching stints at Portland and Golden State. He has been with the Spurs since 2002.
Carlesimo also coached 12 seasons at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., where he was named national coach of the year in 1989 after guiding the Pirates to the national championship game.
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
